Despite Financial Proof and Career Plan, Indian Student Denied F-1 Visa

A student bound for Northeastern University has shared her frustrating experience of being denied an F-1 student visa at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, despite having a solid academic profile, financial backing, and a clear study plan. The rejection, issued under Section 214(b), left her and many others puzzled, prompting discussions across student communities online.

The applicant had her visa interview scheduled for July 1, 2025, at 9:20 AM, but arrived early at 8:45 AM. “The initial part of the process was smooth,” she wrote in a post recounting her experience. After greeting the consular officer and submitting her I-20 and passport, she was asked about the universities she had applied to — which included Northeastern, NYU, UIUC, Duke, Purdue, and Northwestern, with admissions offers from two.

Background and Interview Questions
Explaining her background, the student shared:

• “I’ve been working at a real estate firm for 2.5 years. During that time, I had the opportunity to work on supply chain and logistics assignments, which helped me realize this is the direction I want to take my career in. That’s why I’m pursuing a master’s in this field.”

The visa officer then inquired whether she had any friends or relatives in the U.S. She responded that she had no relatives, but mentioned a friend currently studying the same course at Northeastern, who is set to graduate this year.

When asked about funding, she clarified that her father, a retired professional currently running a business, would be financing her education. She also highlighted that she had secured an education loan and that her family possessed sufficient savings and investments to support the expenses.

Unexpected Refusal and Observations
Despite this detailed explanation, the officer issued her a 214(b) refusal, which typically indicates that the applicant failed to sufficiently demonstrate strong ties to their home country or convince the officer of their intent to return post-studies.

• “The same VO had already rejected around 10–12 visas before mine,” she observed. “While waiting in the queue, I saw him deny four F-1 visas and several tourist visas as well.”

The student is now planning to reapply, but is struggling to find available interview slots. “I genuinely don’t think my answers were wrong,” she added in her post.

Online Reactions: Support and Speculation
Her story quickly drew responses from other users, many offering advice, criticism, or personal anecdotes:

• “The only thing I can think of is your career goals may not have clearly shown a plan to return to India after graduation,” one user noted.
• Another added, “It may be a blessing in disguise. Two of my friends graduated from Northeastern last year and had to return home because they couldn’t find jobs.”
• One user suggested being more specific next time: “Mention your father’s business type and annual revenue. They like clear financial details.”
• Another questioned the narrative: “Your dad is retired and spending his savings on a Northeastern degree? That doesn’t sound like a strong financial plan.”
• A thoughtful commenter offered broader advice: “Try to build a more connected and compelling narrative next time. Don’t just answer the question — help them understand the bigger picture.”

Disclaimer:
This story is based on a post shared by a Reddit user. The details, opinions, and statements quoted herein belong solely to the original poster and do not reflect the views of Myedugoal. We have not independently verified the claims and cannot guarantee their accuracy.

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